sustain

CEFRB2

/səˈsteɪn/

verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    verb

    To keep something going or support it.

  2. 02

    verb

    Extra detail

    To encourage or sanction (something).

Examples

  • Heavy posts are needed to sustain this bridge.

  • The bridge couldn't sustain the force of the strong current and collapsed.

At a glance

Sits at B2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5
Synonyms
1

Also pronounced

  • /səˈstæɪn/

Deep Dive

verb

Extra meanings

  1. To provide for or nourish.

  2. To maintain, or keep in existence.

  3. To experience or suffer (an injury, etc.).

More examples

In context

  • Sam managed to sustain his erection for two straight hours.

  • The city came under sustained attack by enemy forces.

  • The professor had trouble sustaining students’ interest until the end of her lectures.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

Because of the low crop yields, the small farm cannot blank the family of five.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

verb

From Middle English susteinen, sustenen, from Old French sustenir (French soutenir), from Latin sustineō, sustinēre (“to uphold”), from sub- (“from below, up”) + teneō (“hold”, verb).